Leaving Elizabeth City

  WE left Elizabeth City tuesday 11/11/14 at 0715 and started for the Alligator River.   We managed to get to the Alligator and MIddle Ground  in dense fog.  There were five of us trying to find our way to the Alligator River Bridge in the fog.  We managed with fog horns and radio contact to make it to the bridge. There is one trouble spot by 8A that normally we have a problem with.  Three of the five boats bumped and for once we were not among them.
 We all went through the bridge together and headed for the Pungo canal where we anchored, before starting through.  We now need to get the dinghy down and Skipper ashore.  Francie checked the bilge which had been making excess water to find it full and the pump not working.  Well get out the spare and rig it up!!  Low and behold the spare cannot be found in the spares locker.  Francie spent the time I was taking Skipper ashore trying to locate it.  When  I got back at dark, still no pump.  The good news was it was not making water when were not moving . Finally after looking for two hours we found the spare pump. Yes you are right it was the last place we looked!!!!!  This turned out to be the first place we looked also but missed it.

   Wednesday we towed the dinghy thinking less weight on the stern would help the water problem, which it did, but if we ran the RPMs up I could see it coming in.  So we slowed and pulled in at Belhaven for more diagnostic study. I found with the higher RPMs the dripless coupling was dripping.  Fixed that in about 10 minutes.  

   Thursday we picked up the dinghy and headed for Oriental NC, one of our favorite towns in NC, and discovered we were again making water in the bilge.  Checked the dripless and that was ok this time,but found water coming from farther to stern.  After taking everything out of the rear lazarette and Francie, our 4 star mechanic, getting down in there she found the problem to be the seal at the rudder post leaking.  We called ahead for a slip at the marina and to find parts.  We made it to the marina just as the rain started.  Nothing like a cold rain to get you started walking all over town looking for parts. First stop the consignment shop to see what they had.  Checked out a bike for Ken .   They let me try it out so I pedaled to West Marine and bought a new bilge pump and some packing for the rudder shaft. As with all good mates Francie & Skipper were walking.  On to the grocery store and then to Ace hardware for some different packing.  I then went to the consignment store and dickered with him on the bike.  We settled on $20. and he would bring the BBQ grill that we bought to the boat after closing..   A good deal..

  This morning it was cold and we  were bundled up with Francie, 4 star mechanic, crawling down into the 14in access to the rudder seal.  It is located under the radiant wheel for the steering.  There is about 6 inches of space and only an inch and one half to work the bolts out and then try to get a new packing in.  After picking part of the old one out we realized that we did not have the right size.  Off with my trusty new to me bike to Ace. and while I was out to the grocery store again before returning to the boat.  Next time at the consignment store must look for a heater for the bike!!   Francie managed to get it installed and all is right with the world.  We will hope for no leak tomorrow when we head for Beaufort.

   Side note:  Francie was promoted from 4 Star Mechanic to 5 STAR MECHANIC  with 2 ATTA GIRL'S for her record.